The time for my parents to come was approaching and we were all getting ready in our own way. I was planning out a menu for the special days and nights that mom and dad would be staying. The kids were being kids, remembering the house in the woods, spotting dear on the windy road, taking hikes, the smell of Grama’s house. They knew when Grampa came he would sit with them for hours, puzzling and playing cards. Grama would be on the porch basking in the warm temperatures and welcoming the chance to escape ice storms and snow. We waited as time ticked away like the remaining minutes on an old thoughtful clock.
The long awaited day finally arrived, my brother in law would pick them up in the middle of the night at the airport. They would stay that night with my sister and then come the next day to us. The boys had to go to school but I promised they would see Grama and Grampa when they came home, and so they trudged off with Ushruf the trusted driver. See See and Foof carefully worked on the room where they would sleep, putting all of the finishing touches complete with chocolate for Grama and a newspaper for Gramps. They followed me around and were relentless in their questions regarding the exact time that they would arrive and a countdown of hours and minutes! See See said it was taking too long, time as big as the sky, which was how she described most everything at that age.
I was longing for this chance to see my folks and also to share with them the special, enchanted life we were leading. I had grown to rely on them for household items, clothing, shoes and other basic items. When we lived in Seattle, the home we purchased was a nice little abode for a young couple with growing kids. That is how mom put it when she first visited our tiny house in Renton. She reminded me that she and dad started out in a run down apartment with nothing but love and happiness, they had built a life and those were the sweet memories that lingered so many years later. I tucked this away and always remembered that those were precious days. The house in Renton was simple and fine for a young couple, the lack of furniture was evident, a queen bed, some pads on the floor and remnants left behind by his friends from various countries. Mom and Dad had purchased shades for the house and a few years later passed down their beautiful couches, a chair and ottoman for our living room. The kitchen flooring had holes and was worn, the appliances were old and finishing touches were modest at best, but it was a home and as mom pointed out, a humble and lovely beginning. But now, here in this beautiful, upscale compound I felt they would not have to provide for us any more.
The time finally came and they arrived in the old pick up my brother in law let Dad borrow for driving around the local streets of Dhahran. They were tired but it had been 18 long months without seeing them so we all hugged and talked for hours. They marveled at the beauty of the compound, they had never been to one before. We slept that night all tucked into our comfy beds and woke to make breakfast early before the day began. Mom started a tradition of riding along with the kids on each school trip, reading to them and chatting. A tradition she would continue for the 20 or more visits she and dad would make over the years.
There was an unwritten law in our household, another of the many rules on a long invisible list, no gifts. Most gifts that were received were usually taken back. In Saudi there was no way to take anything back, no store to take it to and no returns anyway. So, gifts became something that the kids were very excited for and they treasured whatever they got. One day he arrived home with a bag full of winter gloves and a colorful assortment of socks from Abu Riyalane (The two Riyal store). The kids stood in great anticipation waiting to see what “baba” had brought home, what treasure was being dispensed from this bag. They each stood peering into the bag, looking for their gloves and socks. They picked from the bag and ran outside to friends showing off their new and exciting “gifts”.
After 27 hours of travelling and little sleep they rested that first day and spent time with the little ones. Mom sorted through her 2 large boxes, placing presents into gift bags and getting ready for the boys to come home from school. Later that evening she summoned the kids to the family room where the door had remained shut since afternoon. She sat on the couch, colorful bags, bursting with goodies all lined up in front of her. The look on her face was priceless as she waited for the kids to settle down. It was as if one huge holiday had been wrapped in a bow and delivered to our door step. The kids, even little Abude sat quietly waiting for Grama to call their name. Each one opened their bag and we all watched wide eyed. It was always a magical night when Grama and Grampa arrived.
I was 6 months pregnant, tired and heavy but I now felt light, free and happy. We spent the days catching up, cooking meals for the kids and walking around the mall. When the boys came home Grampa puzzled, played cards and monopoly, Grama sat on a plastic chair at the park watching the kids play and soaking up the sun. He came home on the weekend and greeted them with open arms. He joked and laughed and offered to take them to souks, malls and restaurants. He sat with my father and talked to the wee hours as they had always done. They discussed religion, culture, stock prices and may other things. Mom and I took the shopping bus to various locations and watched the kids at the park. I introduced her to my friends and I could see she was at ease with our life. It was a visit that recharged me and helped me to continue with my life in Saudi.
It’s nice to see a happy family bonding 🙂
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yes those visits were amazing and we all waited for their annual visit!
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What a lovely account of your parents’ visit.. Could see the happiness bubbling through 🙂 Hugs Lynn! The picture is so beautiful 🙂
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Thanks dear!
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What happy memories – your parents sound like Mr and Mrs Christmas arriving Lynz- you know there is a lot to be said for ‘no gifts’ kids these days have far too much and it is so wonderful to hear of children appreciating mitts and socks – somewhere out there, there is a ‘happy medium’
Lovely post , to give a good ‘balance’ to your unfolding story xx
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yes I agree a happy medium for sure! Thanks dear! Are you better?
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Not quite 100%, but MUCH better and improving thank you for asking x
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I am so glad! take it easy!
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Good times with Grama and Grampa – it is nice to see a change for the better. As always, thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for reading!
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Priceless… beautiful!!!!!
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Thanks!
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Oooohhh
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Thanks for reading!
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Your welcome 🙂 Keep up the good blogging!!
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Thanks!
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No problem 😉
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Sweet story. Thanks for sharing.
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Hi long time no see! Thanks for reading
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I can certainly see how special and important the visits had become to you and the children. Luckily your family could come to see you in this distant land you now called home.
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Yes it was what kept us hanging on
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I can see that Lynz, definitely!!!
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Thanks
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A wonderful insight into a much happier time for you and your children. Once again you write beautifully! Hugs 🙂
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Thanks!
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Those visits made life worth living for all of you Lynz 😀
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Yess:)
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I know how it is when you visit your parents once in a year 🙂 And the expression that you get when you give gifts to someone is priceless specially if that someone is a kid 🙂 Nice memory 🙂
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Thanks!
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🙂
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Very nice, happy family. Lynn you and your mom look a like
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Thanks dear
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The visit sounds like such a gift all by itself. Your parents sound wonderful. I was waiting for the shoe to drop and was happy that in this post it didn’t.
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Thanks for reading:)
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Was very happy to read that you had such a wonderful visit from your parents. I love the photo. I think its amazing that they were able to travel so far to see you and the children. Seeing Grandma and Grandpa and receiving the gifts they brought was such a great thing for you and the kids. Even with the rules in place you were still able to have a nice visit and it seems that at least for a time your stress level was lower.
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Yes! Thanks Suzannne
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I would have never guessed your folks visited that often. That is awesome!
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Only two kids and both in saudi
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There is nothing to compare with seeing family when you live miles away. This is a beautiful piece – I love your description ‘one huge holiday wrapped in a bow’ – it oozes excitement and pleasure and anticipation and delight 🙂
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Thanks:)
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Beautiful memories ❤
The time that we spent with our grandparents is priceless!!!
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Yes
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So precious ❤️
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Thanks carisa!
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It sounds like a wonderful visit Lynn. Your parents sounds like amazing grandparents and it is so nice how much time they spent playing and reading to them 🙂
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Yes they are wonderful
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Uplifting read!
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🙂
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I see where you get your beautiful glow…your mom has the same one….LOL and so does the little one in the middle…very beautiful children….what fun when grandma and grandpa come…glad it was special times for you…I do have to agree that getting gift should be an exciting thing, something to look forward to…my children had to much and we changed gift time at our home…its good to want and have desires…helps the dreams come true….lovely story…I smiled all the way through…glad your parents were able to visit…nothing like family…..hope your son does well in the race…kat
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It was wonderful having them come! Thanks!
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What a precious memory! I remember when I spent time with my grandparents. It was one of happiest memories I’ve had as a child. 🙂
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Yes their visits were so lovely! the kids still tell me “that Grama smell”
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Lol. I hope that’s not the only thing they remember about their lovely grandma. 😀
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oh no, they always argue though and tell me come on mom you know that sweet smell of the blankets at grama’s and her lotion etc. now they get to see her all the time lol
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ha ha..I’m just imagining the scenario. 😀
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yes it is quite comical, oldest 28 youngest 12, one night as I was trying to sleep they had a funny arguement over who would they save in the ocean mom or anyone else! After about 20 minutes I was like ok hello I am right here people!!
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lol…a typical conversation between male siblings. Kids are hilarious when they argue, aren’t they? 😀
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well this was my 12 year old and his sisters!
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Oh, pardon me! I guess it’s common even with the opposite gender.
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so funny!!
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😀
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Of course ,I love the picture that puts faces to my friend’s family and helps me to know more about her. This was such a breath of fresh air. It seemed as though you were safe and free for a short while. And I felt like I was enjoying Christmas morning with your family. But now, I’m glad you’re home.
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Thanks so much Clare!
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What a lovely account 🙂 I held my breath to the end in the hope that he didn’t spoil anything..x
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thanks!
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I am so relieved to hear that HE didn’t keep your parents out of your life. I can feel the joy you experienced when your parents came to visit in your writing.
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thank you
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Simply wonderful ♥
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Thanks Lana
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Woooooow it’s so precious moment hope could stop there right even when I go for holidays I felt same darling Lynz 💖
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Thanks sweetie!
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Such a beautiful post, Lynn! I love how your daughter would describe waiting as “time as big as the sky” and their excitement as they opened their gifts!
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she always said “I love you big as the sky mom” now she is 25!
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That is so sweet!!
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🙂
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This visits sounds like it was a breath of fresh air!!! I couldn’t help but wonder though…the unspoken rule about no presents…was that HIS rule?
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oh yes, any gifts went back!! my gifts given away, a lecture about how much his family made and our gifts were expensive! My oldest son, fought to get us gifts and little things for the kids!
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Boy pride can be a terrible thing, can’t it? Some people would rather allow their loved ones to suffer rather than take something that another is willing to give out of pure love. It’s beyond what we call “sad”.
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well he had money he could buy gifts, he bought gifts for his family! and his friends but just not us!!
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you are so wise!
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Thank you!!
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What wonderful memories those visits must have left you with during the year after their visit, I take it that he was very pleasant to your parents on their visits and didn’t show them how he normally treated you? (Other than sending the presents back, I mean. I wonder how they felt about that?) Lovely story about the children’s great excitement and joy at their visit.
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Thanks yes he was very lovely, smiling to them and secretly furious with whatever they said. They were never supposed to know the gifts went back to the store!
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I imagined that would be the case. Jekyll and Hyde springs to mind here.
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yes so true!
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Such beautiful children…
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Thank you
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Jekyl and Hyde ..a wolf in sheeps clothing in front of your parents…..but a lovely time for the children and you while it lasted….:)
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yes for sure. of course later he could not hide it any more and they saw it creeping through
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Yes that usually happens and it’s sad because they cannot help you can they it’s up to us to call time and it takes a while for whatever reasons 🙂 But lovely when you are finally free 🙂
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thanks!
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Your parents have such kind faces. What lovely grandparents they are to travel so far and make your lives sweeter.
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Yes they are amazing
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Family recharges in a way nothing else can. Happy it carried you through difficult times. Xo
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Thanks! it sure does!
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Lynn! Yes, your parents are amazing. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but to me it was everything that they cooked me a high school graduation dinner when i had no one else around. I still remember that. With warmth in my heart. ❤
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you are so very special!!
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Family visits are so affirming. This is a lovely interlude in your story Lynn…and your children are precious! 🙂
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Thanks Kat!
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There is no love like the love of parents for their child. 🙂
It’s so reassuring and a big blessing to be loved like this.
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yes it is!
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